Star Wars Dark Forces

"Before Counterstrike, in the days of Doom emerged Dark Forces"

Since the days of the original ''Doom,'' Star Wars: Dark Forces was one of the first first-person shooter games out there. At this time, first-person shooters were very limited in detailed graphics, as well as complexity. There was just one main goal: shoot. But just how terrific or terrible was Dark Forces? This LucasArts classic is actually variable in all categories, and enjoyable in those days of Windows 3.1/95.

A Star Wars game? Yes, this game involves you being a Rebel soldier, Kyle Katarn. The evil Empire has just released phases of ''Dark Troopers,'' ultimate fighting machines designed to kill off the Rebel Alliance. Kyle must journey around systems of planets, and infiltrate Imperial bases, to find out information about the so-called ''Dark Troopers.'' He must destroy them single-handedly, before they annihilate the Rebel Alliance for good.

The graphics are realistic to that of the world of Star Wars, but are more ''pixelated.'' In this game, there is a lack of smooth animation. You'll venture through parts of cities, Imperial bases, and sectors of worlds to shoot the stormtroopers. Many different enemies in this game are distinguished and noticable. For the time being, the graphics were actually impressive for the time. Today, if we compare this game to popular first-person shooters such as Counterstrike, you'll find the graphics lacking and unimpressive. Compared to the more realistic first-person shooters of today, Dark Forces is probably nowhere near in the graphics of detailed backgrounds in stages, and the characters of the game lack detail. The details of your weapons are also plain, even the lasers you fire look dull. If there was a remake of LucasArt classics today, Dark Forces can definitely start with improving the pixelated graphics.

Audio in this game is mediocre. There is some sort of Star Wars feel to it, and there are many different unique background themes for stages. Even though the music sounds partly like MIDI, its impressive that the music can still put you into the game. The sound effects aren't that cheap also, you'll notice the sounds of your blasters, or enemy blasters firing as you. With these gameplay sounds, there are also stormtroopers who can talk to other stormtroopers, when they notice you. At the beginning of missions, you also receive an audio briefing of your objectives, which also makes the game less boring. If Dark Forces had orchestral themes during your game play, it would add more emotion to your game.

Though this game is from the last millenium, of the early 1990's, it is still fun. If you expect a lot out of these games as you do from current games today, you'll quickly find Dark Forces boring. This game has a narrow world, where you basically infiltrate Imperial bases and shoot down stormtroopers, guards, Dark Troopers, and even bosses. In other words, it is very straight-forward, you shoot your way through the level to find your goal, and along your way you must avoid hazards. After hours of clearing stages and cleaning house, there's nothing else to do, except the same thing over and over again until you beat the game. Your main weapons are all guns, if you wanted a lightsaber, it's in Dark Forces II or Jedi Outcast. Beating the game really leaves you nothing else to do with the game, because you won't want to play through it again. Most of the stages are fairly boring and contain no purpose to replay. It's just wasted hours to replay, unless you want to shoot a bunch of stormtroopers.

For first-person shooter players, the challenge this game may be easy to medium, depending how much experience you have with these games. Most of the enemies are easy kills if you don't give them time to attack you. But there are even bosses that take many hits to kill, even with powerful weapons. There's also some hard to pass obstacles in certain stages, that require thinking and precise timing to dodge, avoid, or pass. For beginners, this game may pose difficult.

Although this game may not be in the shelves of game stores anymore, you can still find cheap deals at stores that still sell old games. Many stores get rid of old games like these, with inexpensive prices of $9.99 and below. Back in the day, this game had tops graphics and features. Our expectations of Dark Forces today aren't met, many probably see it as a crap game compared to Quake and Half-Life.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 05/07/02, Updated 05/07/02